Rail clamp



May 18; 1926.

I F. H. LEHECKA RAIL CLAMP .Filed Dec. 5, 1925 Patented May 18, 1926,

NET rates earner FEECE.

FRANK H. LEHECKA, OF CHICAGO, ZLLINOIS, AFSSIGNOR IO TAYLOR-WHARTON IRON AND STEEL COMRANY, OF HIGH BRIDGE, IiTEW' JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEK JERSEY.

RAIL CLAMP.

Application filed December liy invention relates to rail. clamps for use with steam shovels and other machines which are moved on rails, the oflice of the In its n'eierred form the invention is e1n-' bodied in a body memberof the integral type, including an overhead lug or gulde and depending lugs adapted to grip the un derside of the rail. head, the member being applied to the rail by manipulation through an angle of 45 and then swinging 1t parallel to the rail; one end of the body being shaped to conform to the periphery of the wheel and the other end being bifurcated for the reception of a pivoted tightening de-v vice operating against the tread of the rail and of such nature that its tightening action is accelerated by impact or pressure of the wheel against the body member.

My improved safety clamp is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the clainpapplied to a rail.

Figure 2 is an end view. Figure 3 is a bottom plan view. Figure 4 is a detail of an underhead gripping device. I i'i ccording to my invention the body 1116111 her is a one-piece casting, preferably of ma ganese steel. It is constructed with a terminal overhead lug or guide 6 and with a pair of depending lugs 7 and 8 having inwardlydirected terminals 9 shaped to fit the underside of the rail head and having serrated gripping faces 10. By disposing a, 1925. Serial No. 72,908.

the member 5 at the proper angle ,it can readily .be applied to the rail, the underslopell of the body making for clearance.

which enables the overhead lug or guide 6- to slip over the head of the rail and thus bring the clamp and rail in parallelism. To facilitate the application of the clamp the opposed corners of the underhead gripping lugs are cut away as at 12. i

One end of the body member 5 has a" b-i apparent that instead of losing its grip and sliding along the rail under repeated olt or impact the tightening act-ion of the clamp will if anything be'increased.

Having described my invention, 1 clai1nz- 1. A rail clamp body consisting of an integral casting having a sloping bottom to provi le rail clearance and havingdepending lugs with gripping terminals and a lining up lug or guide, the depending lugs having their opposed corners removed, to facilitate the application of the clamp.

2. A rail clamp of the straddle type having a chock or wheel engaging portion and a bifurcated portion, and a lever pivotally mounted in the latter and having an eccentric portion to engage the tread of the rail and whereof the tightening action is augmented by repeated impact or pressure of the wheel against the clamp.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

FRANK H. LEHECKA. 

